Sunday, December 21, 2014

The User's Review: Sigma sa-1 35mm SLR Camera with Quartz Control

This Sigma model is closely related to Ricoh XR-7 and Sears KS-2. They all have a Pentax K mount. SA-1 has two handle pads for your right hand, and has the AE lock on the front right hand pad (easier to use with right hand only). However, SA-1 has no multiple exposure although the DOF levers. on the three models are the same.

Its build quality is very good.












Tuesday, December 16, 2014

The User's Review: Promaster 2000PK Super 35mm Film Camera












The body is easy to hold because of its user-friendly design and rubber front surface. 2000PK Super has a Pentax K mount, 1/2000 s shutter speed and DOF preview. There are many plastic parts, such as battery holder and kit's lens mount. Therefore, I have a question mark on its durability.

Friday, December 5, 2014

The User's Review: Bell & Howell DIal 35 (= Canon Dial 35 2) Half-Frame 35 mm Camera in two cases, Made in USA and Japan, Released in 1968




















In the bigger case, along with the camera, there is a Bell & Howell Automatic 860 electric flash made in USA. I believe, the bigger case was also made in USA although no any mark is found on the bigger case, except the B & H sign. Also was the manual printed in USA. The camera and the small case are marked 'Made in Japan'.

The camera takes a 48 mm filter, screwed in around the electric eye (the filter size is not listed in the specs of the manual, it is printed under 'hints for better pictures'); has a hot flash shoe; shows distance only in foot; has a stronger spring motor although, nowadays, many of the cameras do not have a properly-working motor. However, I think, it's OK to turn the winding grip by hand and advance the film in case of  a weak motor spring. 

Sunday, November 16, 2014

The User's Review: The Latest Editions of Pentax K1000 and K1000 SE, Assembled in China

These latest editions have the same bottom plates and similar top plates (both are plastic). These plates are obviously different from those on the earlier editions of K1000 and K1000 SE. In addition, the battery covers on these latest editions are made of plastic and not compatible with earlier editions.









The new plastic top plate reduced the numbers of parts in the assembly.  

Why to get these latest bodies? They are of less weight, but more importantly, the light meters in them are likely to work due to the newer electric parts.

Friday, October 31, 2014

The User's Review: Quantaray 2X (4 elements) vs. Kenko 2X MC7 (7 elements) Extenders, both with Minolta/Sony A Mount and 8 pins

1. The Quantaray 2X with 4 elements is more compact/smaller.
2. The Kenko 2X with 7 elements provides higher resolution (see the last image)
3. However, the longer tub and more glass in the Kenko 2X may need more light compensation.

The test devices used were a Minolta Maxxum 50mm F2.8 Macro Lens and a Sony A230 camera.





Image through Q 2X

Image through K 2X

Q 2X vs. K 2X (cropped from the two images above)